NOMOS Tetra Origins

NOMOS Glashütte has introduced a new quartet of timepieces, expanding its most geometrically distinct collection with a focus on earthy, grounded aesthetics. The new Tetra Origins series presents four models, each defined by a unique, nature-inspired dial color. These watches, named Terra, Salvia, Ochra, and Basalt, are presented as a modern interpretation of the square watch, blending the brand's signature design language with masterful mechanics from Germany. The collection aims to convey emotions of deep calm, serenity, and strength, offering a decidedly down-to-earth presence for the wrist.



The Tetra model itself holds a significant place in the brand's catalog. It was a foundational piece, part of the very first collection launched by the independent watchmaking company back in 1992. From its inception, the Tetra's rigid, square silhouette has served as a canvas for creative expression. It was, in fact, one of the first Nomos models to feature colorful dials, setting a precedent that the new Origins series now thoughtfully continues. This new edition leans away from bright primary colors and instead explores a more muted, sophisticated palette.



Each of the four new watches is built upon an identical foundation, allowing the dials to be the primary focus of their individual personalities. The case is crafted from stainless steel, polished to a bright finish that contrasts sharply with the soft, velour strap and the matte dials. The square form is precise, measuring 29.5 millimeters on each side. This compact dimension makes the watch highly wearable and suitable for a wide variety of wrists, defying the often-bulky reputation of square timepieces.



A key visual characteristic of the Tetra case is its lug design. Rather than integrating smoothly into the case, the lugs are a distinct architectural element. They are described as "double-stepped," appearing as clean, polished steel structures that frame the case and hold the 18mm strap. This design choice emphasizes the watch's angularity and gives it a unique profile. The overall height is a mere 6.5 millimeters, allowing it to sit exceptionally flat and comfortably. The lug-to-lug dimension, a critical measure for on-wrist comfort, is 40.5 millimeters.



From a practical standpoint, the watches are engineered for daily wear. The case is water-resistant to 5 atm. This rating, often clarified as "splash-proof," means the watch is protected against everyday encounters with water, such as rain or washing hands, though it is not intended for swimming or submersion. The dial is protected by a pane of sapphire crystal glass, a material prized in watchmaking for its extreme scratch resistance, ensuring the face of the watch remains clear.



Looking at the dials, a consistent layout unites the collection. The design is clean, featuring a mix of thin, elongated stick indices for the odd-numbered hours and stylized Arabic numerals at the 12, 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock positions. A crisp railroad track for the minutes frames the entire dial. At the 6 o'clock position, a recessed sub-dial for the running seconds provides a point of visual contrast and mechanical animation. The hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated, giving them a bright, metallic sheen that aids in legibility against the colorful backgrounds.



The first model, the Tetra Terra (Reference 438), features an earthy, terracotta red dial. This reddish-pink hue is warm and grounded. The watch's personality is further defined by its sub-seconds dial, which introduces a complex and appealing palette of contrasting colors. The source material notes accents of lavender and yellow within the subdial, while the seconds hand itself is a bright turquoise. This playful use of secondary colors makes the Terra a statement of refined, modern design.



Next is the Tetra Salvia (Reference 439), which evokes a sense of renewal with its refreshing, muted sage green dial. This color is serene and organic, perfectly fitting the collection's nature-inspired theme. Like the Terra, its sub-dial features contrasting accents, in this case, light blue and yellow. The seconds hand is also finished in turquoise, creating a cool and harmonious composition. The rhodium-plated hour and minute hands allow this model to be easily paired with various types of jewelry.



The Tetra Ochra (Reference 437) glows with a golden light, its dial rendered in a warm ocher yellow. This pigment, treasured by ancient artisans, gives the watch a unique character that feels both contemporary and historic. This model balances the modern, square aesthetics of the case with a color rooted in artisanal tradition. The sub-seconds dial features a yellow seconds hand, maintaining a more monochromatic feel than its siblings, creating a harmony of craft and character.



Finally, the Tetra Basalt (Reference 440) presents a sophisticated, elemental beauty. Its dial is a dark, mineral-toned anthracite. This basalt-black color is grounding and striking, lending the square silhouette an aura of assured confidence. The sub-dial on this model provides a vivid pop of contrast, with fuchsia and yellow accents. The seconds hand is finished in yellow, standing out sharply against the dark dial.



All four models in the Tetra Origins collection are paired with the same strap, a choice that unifies the series. The strap is a light beige vegan velour, which feels soft to the touch and provides a neutral counterpoint to the four distinct dial colors. This choice makes the watches versatile, allowing them to be combined easily with different outfits or jewelry. The strap is described as breathable and features remborde edges for a clean, finished look, enhancing its comfortable fit for everyday wear.



Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire crystal glass back, fixed with four screws, which allows a clear view of the mechanical engine inside. The Tetra Origins series is powered by the hand-wound caliber DUW 4001. This is a significant movement for the brand, made in-house by NOMOS in Glashütte. Its inclusion underscores that these watches are as serious mechanically as they are expressive in their design.



The DUW 4001 represents a high standard of German watchmaking. It is a manually wound movement, meaning the wearer must turn the crown to power the watch, creating a daily, tactile connection with the machine. When fully wound, it provides a power reserve of 53 hours. A key feature of this caliber is the inclusion of the exclusive NOMOS swing system. This component, the escapement, is the "heart" of the watch, and manufacturing one in-house is a major technical achievement that declares a brand's independence from third-party suppliers.



The new NOMOS Tetra Origins collection represents a thoughtful evolution of a classic design. It combines a distinct square case, a versatile and slim profile, and a palette of four unique, nature-inspired colors. These watches are positioned as distinctive pieces for daily wear, suitable for pairing with jewelry and expressing a grounded, authentic style. Each watch in the series is priced at USD $2,570.



Case: stainless steel, fixed with four screws, sapphire crystal glass back. Diameter 29.5 mm, height 6.5 mm, lug-to-lug 40.5 mm. Water resistance 5 atm (splash-proof). Sapphire crystal glass.

Movement: Hand-wound caliber DUW 4001, made by NOMOS Glashütte. Power reserve of 53 hours. Features the NOMOS swing system.

Dial: Available in terracotta red (Terra), sage green (Salvia), ocher yellow (Ochra), and anthracite (Basalt). Rhodium-plated hour and minute hands. Contrasting color accents in the sub-seconds dial.

Strap: Vegan velour remborde in beige. Lug width 18 mm.

Price: USD $2,570

Reference Number: 438 (Terra), 439 (Salvia), 437 (Ochra), 440 (Basalt)

Notes: The Tetra Origins collection features four watches with muted, nature-inspired colors and contrasting accents in the sub-seconds dial.